I teach and conduct research in two areas: plant ecology and science education. As a plant ecologist, I study how plants interact with their environment, including biotic interactions such as herbivory and competition, as well as plant interactions with abiotic features including latitude, elevation, soil nutrients, and boulders. I’m especially interested in how such interactions affect the expression of plant chemical and physical traits, and patterns of plant growth and distribution. My research has focused primarily on trees and shrubs including quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata), Alaska paper birch (Betula neoalaskana), and California buckeye (Aesculus californica). As a science educator, I research ways to improve science content understanding and science teaching methods at the university-level, especially in classes populated by future elementary and secondary teachers. I also study the roles that Science Faculty with Education Specialties (SFES) play in higher education.